KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prohibitory order issued near Narayanhity Durbar Museum
KATHMANDU: The government has issued a prohibitory order in the Narayanhiti Durbar Museum area in response to the growing royalist movement. Kathmandu District Administration Office Chief Rishi Ram Tiwari released a statement announcing a ban on gatherings of more than five people in the area. The order also prohibits protest activities such as hunger strikes, sit-ins, encirclements, processions, demonstrations, and public meetings.
Opposition firm on Home Minister’s resignation over visa scandal
Maoist Center Chief Whip Hitraj Pandey has reiterated that the opposition parties have not withdrawn their protest demands despite temporarily halting the obstruction in Parliament.
Speaking at a meeting organized by Speaker Devraj Ghimire with party chief whips, Pandey maintained that the demand for Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation over the visit visa scandal remains firm.
“We lifted the obstruction yesterday (Thursday) in consideration of the country, the people, and unconstitutional activities. But our position has not changed. The issue involves human trafficking and corruption.”
Maoist Centre to obstruct House until Home Minister resigns
The main opposition party, CPN (Maoist Centre), has decided not to allow the Parliament to function unless Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigns over his alleged involvement in the recent visit visa scandal. A meeting of the party’s top office bearers held on Friday at party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’s residence in Khumaltar concluded that the minister must step down to allow an impartial investigation into the case. Party spokesperson Agni Sapkota confirmed that the Maoist Centre will block any parliamentary proceedings, including discussions on the national budget, until Lekhak resigns.
Royalist rally drew more crowd than UML’s: Shekhar Koirala
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has commented on the public rallies held by CPN-UML and royalists on Republic Day, saying the royalist gathering was larger due to growing frustration among the youth. Speaking at a program in Kathmandu on Friday, Koirala remarked that more people joined the royalist rally than the UML’s because the current political behavior does not reflect the spirit of a democratic republic. “Why was the UML rally smaller than the Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s? Because our behavior does not reflect democratic values. There is growing frustration among the youth. They are searching for alternatives,” he said.
Shekhar and Gagan resume dialogue after 11-month silence
Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala and General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who are both preparing separate bids for the presidency of the party, have resumed dialogue after 11 months. The two leaders, who had formed a joint panel during the party’s 14th General Convention, met on Friday at Koirala’s liaison office in Baluwatar. A source close to Koirala confirmed that the two had a conversation after nearly a year of silence.
Chinese Foreign Minister urges Rana to advance BRI as per agreement
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hong Kong on Friday. The two ministers held discussions on bilateral relations while attending the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of an International Organization for Arbitration, where they participated as observers at the invitation of Minister Wang. The meeting focused on a range of issues including Nepal-China relations, shared interests, and ongoing cooperation as the two nations mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.
Pro-monarchy protest continues for second day in Kathmandu
Monarchist parties and groups demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and Hindu state continued their indefinite protest for the second consecutive day on Friday. After staging demonstrations in the Ratnapark area on the first day, protesters marched from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwar on the second day, chanting slogans in favor of the return of the king. The pro-monarchy rallies led to traffic disruption in several areas of Kathmandu, with major roads along the protest route partially blocked.
Govt announces public holiday in Kathmandu Valley on Sunday
The government has announced a public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley on Sunday to mark the Bhoto Jatra festival. In a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it was stated that Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts will observe a public holiday on the occasion of the traditional Machhindranath Bhoto Jatra.
Maoist Center to resume Mid-hill Highway campaign
The Maoist Center is set to resume its halted campaign centered on the Mid-hill Highway after June 21. A meeting of the party’s office-bearers held on Friday morning at Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s residence in Khumaltar decided to restart the campaign, which had paused after reaching Pokhara a few days ago.
Chief Secretary of the Central Office, Ganeshman Pun, informed that not many issues were discussed during the meeting, but a key decision was made to resume the campaign that initially began on May 4.
Implementation of budget starts today: Finance Minister Paudel
Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has stated that he will give top priority to implementing the budget presented in Parliament for the upcoming fiscal year. He presented the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 in a joint session of both houses of the Federal Parliament on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Finance regarding the 2025/26 budget today, the Finance Minister said that budget implementation will not be delayed and will begin immediately. He emphasized that he will not wait until Saun, the Nepali month marking the start of the new fiscal year, to begin execution.
Floods obstruct East-West Highway in Nawalparasi
Floods triggered by continuous rainfall have blocked the East-West Highway in Nawalparasi since last night. According to police, flooding in several rivers has disrupted road traffic in both eastern and western parts of the district. Roads and diversions have been washed away in at least four locations across the two districts. While one-way traffic resumed along the Khorsani Khola section in Nawalparasi West, the highway in Nawalparasi East remains completely blocked.
Gold price up after four-day decline
The price of gold has increased by Rs 700 per tola on Friday, reversing a four-day downward trend. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, gold is now being traded at Rs 1,88,500 per tola.
It was priced at Rs 1,87,800 per tola on Thursday. Gold had jumped by Rs 1,400 per tola last Sunday but had steadily declined over the following four days. Meanwhile, the price of silver dropped by Rs 15 per tola, falling to Rs 1,980, according to the Federation.
Maoist Center calls Parliamentary Party meeting to decide on House obstruction strategy
Maoist Center, the main opposition party, has called a meeting of its Parliamentary Party to discuss its ongoing obstruction of the House of Representatives. The decision was made during a meeting of party office bearers held on Friday at the residence of Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Khumaltar. According to party Secretary Devendra Poudel, the meeting is scheduled for 12 noon on Monday (June 2).
Preparations for Annapurna Diamond Jubilee in final stages
Preparations are in the final phase for the Annapurna Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which mark the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Annapurna I. To participate in the event, foreign guests, including family members of the first climber Maurice Herzog, have arrived in Nepal.
Fourteen foreign guests have come to join the celebrations scheduled to begin on May 31 in Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi, the location of the 8,091-meter Annapurna I and its base camp.
Rajbiraj Bus Park comes into operation after 38 years
The Rajbiraj Bus Park has finally come into operation after a wait of 38 years. The facility was officially inaugurated by Acting Mayor of Rajbiraj Municipality, Israt Parbin, during a special ceremony. Speaking at the event, Acting Mayor Parbin said that the operation of the bus park in Rajdevi Tole, Rajbiraj-2, will help ease traffic congestion on the city’s main roads.
Public transport halted in Gandaki Province as operators protest ride-sharing rules
Public transport services across Gandaki Province came to a standstill today after the provincial government issued a new regulation officially legalizing ride-sharing and self-drive vehicle services. The regulation, published in the official gazette following Cabinet approval on May 13, aims to formalize and regulate the growing trend of app-based transportation. However, it has sparked a strong backlash from traditional transport operators.
Finance Minister allocates 33% of national budget to his own ministry
Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has allocated over one-third of Nepal’s national budget for the upcoming fiscal year to his own ministry. Unveiling the budget for fiscal year 2025/26 during a joint session of the Federal Parliament on May 29, Paudel announced a total budget of Rs 1.964 trillion, out of which Rs 648.92 billion—or 33.03 percent—has been earmarked for the Ministry of Finance under multiple budget headings.
Govt to import 600,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizer
The government has earmarked Rs 28.82 billion for the procurement of chemical fertilizer in the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26, aiming to increase the supply volume to 600,000 metric tons. Presenting the national budget in a joint session of the Federal Parliament on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel announced that the allocated amount will be provided as a grant to support the import of chemical fertilizers.
Kavre tunnel project gets priority in fiscal year 2025/26 budget
Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has announced that the tunnel project in Kavrepalanchowk will be prioritized in the fiscal year 2025/26. Presenting the annual budget during a joint session of the Federal Parliament on Thursday, Paudel stated that budget allocations have been made for national pride projects as well as other key projects in Kavrepalanchowk.
Municipal association criticizes reduction in equalization grant
President of the Municipal Association of Nepal, Bhim Prasad Dhungana, has expressed disappointment over the federal government’s decision to reduce the equalization grant allocated to local governments in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. Dhungana told Khabarhub that although local governments form the foundation of federalism, the budget has once again reduced the amount of equalization grant they are entitled to receive.
Experts discuss poultry business in Chitwan
Experts from Nepal and India have discussed the issues of sustainable development and economic gains from poultry farming at a seminar held in Chitwan. Seven experts including two from Nepal and five from India presented their papers at the seminar organized by India’s Poultry Review and Nepal Veterinary Poultry Association, according to Prof Dr Subir Singh of University of Agriculture and Forestry.
Economic freedom a must for women empowerment: Vice President
Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav has said that economic freedom should be compulsorily implemented as a precondition for women’s empowerment.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the 7th National Women’s Rights Day today, the Vice President said that this day should be accepted as an opportunity to raise voices for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and against discrimination, inequality and violence taking place against women.
Government outlines economic revival plans in annual budget
The government has announced a series of targeted initiatives in its new budget to revitalize the national economy. These measures were presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel during a joint session of the federal parliament on Thursday.
A key priority outlined in the budget is to remove Nepal from the money laundering grey list, which the government views as essential for enhancing economic credibility.
Nepal Amateur Open Golf Championship to begin Tuesday
The 11th Nepal Amateur Open Golf Championship is set to kick off on Tuesday at Gokarna Golf Club in Kathmandu. Organized by the Nepal Golf Association, the three-day event will run through Thursday.
The 54-hole tournament will feature golfers from Nepal and five other South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and India, according to the organizers at a press conference held on Friday.
Nearly 78% pass Nepal Medical Council UG licensing exam
The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) has announced the results of its latest Undergraduate (UG) Licensing Examination, with 77.99% of the candidates passing the test. The examination was conducted from May 26 to 29, with a total of 2,090 candidates registered. Among them, 2,077 appeared for the exam, while 13 were absent. The exam included both medical and dental programs. In the medical category, 1,611 candidates had registered, of whom 1,600 sat for the exam. 1,226 passed, marking a pass rate of 76.62%.
38-year-old woman dies after falling from microbus in Kathmandu
A 38-year-old woman, Kopila Pariyar, died after falling from a microbus in Nagarjun, Kathmandu, on Friday morning. Pariyar, a resident of Katari Municipality-7 in Udayapur, was living in Ramkot, Nagarjun Municipality-6. She fell from the microbus near Tempo Park while it was traveling from Mahakal towards Sitapaila. She sustained serious injuries and died during treatment at Manmohan Hospital. The microbus driver has been taken into custody by the police.
Government to construct Nayapul-Hemja tunnel
The government is planning to construct a tunnel in the Nayapul-Hemja section of the Mid-Hill Highway. Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel mentioned that work on the Nayapul-Hemja tunnel will be taken forward in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26, which was made public on Thursday. Nayapul-Hemja has also been given priority under the plan to ensure resources for the construction of tunnels for which feasibility studies have been completed, and to proceed with the construction work.
Eleven SSPs promoted to DIG in Nepal Police
Eleven Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of Nepal Police have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak approved the promotions on May 27, according to a notification issued by the Police Headquarters on Friday.
Shankar Pokharel instructs ANNFSU to enforce age limit for candidates
CPN-UML has issued a directive to enforce a maximum age limit of 32 years for candidates at the 24th general convention of the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU). General Secretary Shankar Pokharel sent a circular to ANNFSU in-charge Kishor Bikram Malla instructing him to implement the age restriction for the convention scheduled from June 8.
Govt prioritizes early warning system for disaster risk reduction: Minister Khadka
Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka stated that the government has prioritized the early warning system to reduce damage from flooding. Speaking at a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee held at Singha Durbar today, he emphasized that the government is focusing on early warning systems to minimize damage caused by rainfall-induced disasters.
Comment